Core driving method for printer web medium supply

ABSTRACT

Methods for operating a printer web medium supply are provided in one aspect of the method. An input force is received and the input force is distributed to supply first force at a first end of a core having a web wound thereon and to supply a second force at a second end of the core with the first force and the second force being sufficient to control rotation the core against an inertial load of the core and web medium wound thereon. Both the first force and the second force are less than a third force applied to a single driven end of an alternative core to rotate the alternative core against the inertial load and wherein the core has a first yield strength at the first end and a second yield strength at the second end that are less than a third yield strength required to receive the third force at the driven end of the alternative core.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to commonly assigned, copending U.S.application Ser. No. ______ (Docket No. 96568RRS), filed ______,entitled: “METHOD FOR OPERATING PRINTER WEB MEDIUM SUPPLY”; U.S.application Ser. No. ______ (Docket No. 96569RRS), filed ______,entitled: “PRINTER WEB MEDIUM SUPPLY”; U.S. application Ser. No. ______,(Docket No. 96780RRS), filed ______, entitled: “PRINTER WEB MEDIUMSUPPLY WITH DRIVE SYSTEM”; each of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to the field of printing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known to supply donor mediums and receiver mediums used inprinters in the form continuous webs that are wound onto a core untilused. This method of web medium storage is highly efficient allowing alarge amount of web medium to be supplied to a printer in a form that iseasy to manufacture and readily accessible for use during printing.Accordingly, printers are often designed with medium supplies that usecore wound webs of medium.

Typically, the large amount of web medium that can be stored on a corehas a high mass. This in turn requires that the core has a beam strengththat is sufficient to support the mass of web medium when loaded in theprinter and a yield strength along an axis of rotation that issufficient to transfer any forces required to control rotation of thecore and associated web medium. For these reasons the core itself canhave a relatively high mass and thus the overall mass of a core andassociated web can be significant.

The high mass of a core and associated web medium increases demands madeupon the printer in applying forces to control rotation of the core andassociated web. Specifically, it will be appreciated that controlledsupply of a web medium from a core requires an ability to preciselyaccelerate and decelerate the core and associated web. The mass of thecore and associated web creates significant inertial loads that must beovercome by the forces that create such acceleration and deceleration.Such inertial loads can be particularly high where the core andassociated web medium are used in printers that draw web medium from thecore at rates that compel high speed rotation of the core.

Accordingly, an interface between the core and a mounting that isrotated to apply forces to drive the core and associated mounting mustbe engaged to the core in a manner that is secure enough to keep thecore from slipping relative to the mounting when such forces areapplied. In some printers, the core and core mounting that drives thecore will have mechanical features such as notches or grooves thatextend longitudinally along the length of the core that can engage withprotrusions provided by the mountings. These approaches help to providesuch a secure engagement. One example of this is shown in U.S. Pat. No.6,425,548, issued to Christensen et al. on Jul. 30, 2002 in which a coreand hub assembly are provided for a printing device. This deviceprovides keys that are mounted at a proximal end of a mount which serveto transmit torque when engaged with a co-designed core. It will beappreciated that this system requires the use of a complex core and acomplex mounting.

What is also needed therefore are printers and web medium supplies foruse in printers that can reliably apply forces that drive the core andweb against a high inertial load, yet do not increase the complexity ofcore, mounting or the process of loading a core in a printer web mediumsupply.

It is also desirable to provide a designer of a printer with greaterdesign freedom with respect to the size, weight complexity and expenseof the core and associated web and to further have greater designfreedom with respect to the size, weight, cost and performancecapability of the printer. However, the mass of the core and associatedweb can reduce such freedom. Thus, what are also needed are web mediumsupplies and methods that allow greater design freedom despite the highmass and high inertial loads provided by the core and associated web.

It is also well known that each web medium used by a printer hascharacteristics that can influence the appearance of a print made usingthe web medium. Many existing reader systems are known that readmarkings on a core or that detect the presence of a radio frequencyidentification tag to allow automatic determination of data from whichthe characteristics of such a web can be determined. However, readersystems can be complex and expensive. Alternatively, less complexmechanical encodements such as notches in a core can be detected usingless complex readers. However such encodements are vulnerable to damage.Thus what is also needed in the art are web medium supplies and methodsthat can automatically determine data regarding a web that is on a coreusing a less complex, less expensive, and more robust approach.

Further, it will be appreciated that as the mass of a core andassociated web increases the demands made on an operator in mounting thecore and associated web in a printer also increase. As an initial matterthe high mass of the core and associated web can be difficult to lift.Further, the high mass of the core and associated web can make itdifficult for an operator to adjust a velocity of the core andassociated web as is required to position the core and associated webduring loading. This is because the inertia of the core and associatedweb is high and therefore any attempt to accelerate or decelerate a coreand associated web must be made against an inertial load. Thesedifficulties can cause a user to drop or otherwise mis-handle a corewhen loading the core into a printer which can damage the core, the webmedium or the printer.

In some instances, the process of loading a core and associated web intoa printer is further complicated because the proper orientation of acore within a pair of mountings that hold the core for rotation in aprinter may not be apparent. Mis-assembly of the core to mountings thathold the core for rotation can interrupt or undermine the printingprocess for example, by causing images to be printed on the wrong sideof a receiver medium.

What is further needed therefore are web medium supplies and methodsthat reduces the risk that a core and associated web will be mis-loadedor mis-assembled without making loading more difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Methods for operating a printer web medium supply are provided in oneaspect of the method. An input force is received and the input force isdistributed to supply first force at a first end of a core having a webwound thereon and to supply a second force at a second end of the corewith the first force and the second force being sufficient to controlrotation the core against an inertial load of the core and web mediumwound thereon.

Both the first force and the second force are less than a third forceapplied to a single driven end of an alternative core to rotate thealternative core against the inertial load and wherein the core has afirst yield strength at the first end and a second yield strength at thesecond end that are less than a third yield strength required to receivethe third force at the driven end of the alternative core.

In another method for controlling rotation of a core in a web medium websupply, the core is stiffened along a length of the core by applying thefirst force to the first end of the core and a second force to a secondend of the core to induce a tension in the core along a length of thecore, further applying the first force and the second force with thefirst force and the second force being sufficient to rotate the coreagainst an inertial load of the core and the web on the core.

Both the first force and the second force are less than a third forceapplied to a single driven end of an alternative core to rotate thealternative core against the drag and wherein the core has a first yieldstrength at the first end and a second yield strength at the second endthat are less than a third yield strength required to receive the thirdforce at the driven end of the alternative core.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a printer having a web supply;

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of a web supply having mountings and acore that is used in the web supply;

FIG. 3 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 2 showing the core andmountings assembled.

FIG. 4 shows the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3 with the assembled core andmountings mounted in the web supply.

FIG. 5 illustrates the embodiment of web supply of FIGS. 2-4 and wherethe core assembled with mountings at wrong ends of the core.

FIG. 6 illustrates the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4 where the core has anengaged angle that corresponds to an engagement angle of the first coremounting.

FIG. 7 illustrates the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4 where the core has anengaged angle that does not correspond to an engagement angle of thefirst core mounting.

FIG. 8 illustrates the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4 where the core has anengaged angle that does not correspond to the engagement angle of thefirst core mounting.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of a web supply system having coremounting supports that are joined to the frame and positioned at aloading position.

FIG. 10 illustrates the embodiment of web supply system of FIG. 9 in aloaded position.

FIG. 11 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 10 where a core is mountedthat has an engaged surface with an engaged angle that does notcorrespond to engagement angles of core mounting.

FIG. 12 illustrates the web supply system of the embodiment of FIG. 10having both a first core mounting and a second core mounting havingengagement angles that are not perpendicular to the axis of rotationseparated for loading a core having engaged angles that are notperpendicular to the axis of rotation.

FIG. 13 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 12 in a loaded position.

FIG. 14 illustrates another embodiment of a medium supply for use with adifferent embodiment of a core.

FIG. 15 shows the embodiment of FIG. 14 with the core of FIG. 14 loadedtherein.

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of a medium supply that can determinedata regarding core loaded therein.

FIGS. 17A-17C show various first core mountings useful with theembodiment of FIG. 16.

FIGS. 17D-17E show various optional second core mountings useful withthe embodiment of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 illustrates another embodiment of a web supply system.

FIGS. 19A-19F illustrate various embodiments of cores having differentrotationally positioned edges useful with the embodiment of FIG. 18.

FIGS. 20A-20B illustrate alternative embodiments of core mountingsuseful with the cores of FIG. 19A-19F.

FIG. 21 shows an embodiment of a method for determining data associatedwith a cores of FIGS. 19A-19F using the medium supply of FIG. 18 and thecore mountings of FIGS. 20A-20B.

FIG. 22 shows an embodiment of a web medium supply that controlsrotation of a core using a first force that is applied at a first end ofthe core and a second force applied at a second end of the core.

FIG. 23 shows another embodiment of a web medium supply that controlsrotation of a core using a first force that is applied at a first end ofthe core and a second force applied at a second end of the core.

FIG. 24 shows still another embodiment of a web medium supply thatcontrols rotation of a core using a first force that is applied at afirst end of the core and a second force applied at a second end of thecore.

FIG. 25 shows yet another embodiment of a web medium supply thatcontrols rotation of a core using a first force that is applied at afirst end of the core and a second force applied at a second end of thecore.

FIGS. 26A and 26B illustrate yet another embodiment of a web mediumsupply.

FIG. 27 shows one embodiment of a method for operation a web mediumsupply.

FIG. 28 shows another embodiment of a method for operation a web mediumsupply.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a printer 20. In the embodiment of FIG.1, printer 20 comprises a housing 21 having a print engine 22 thatapplies markings or otherwise forms an image on a receiver medium 24.Print engine 22 can record images on receiver medium 24 using a varietyof known technologies including, but not limited to, conventional fourcolor offset separation printing or other contact printing, silkscreening, dry electrophotography such as is used in the NexPress 2500printer sold by Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y., USA, thermalprinting technology, drop on demand ink jet technology and continuousinkjet technology. For the purpose of the following discussions, printengine 22 will be described as being of a type that generates colorimages. However, it will be appreciated that this is not necessary andthat the claimed methods and apparatuses described and claimed hereincan be practiced with a print engine 22 that prints monotone images suchas black and white, grayscale or sepia toned images or that printsfunctional materials such as electronic, biological or optical materialsor component thereof.

A medium advance 26 is used to position receiver medium 24 relative toengine 22. Medium advance 26 can comprise, for example, any number ofwell-known systems for moving receiver medium 24 within printer 20,including a motor 28 driving pinch rollers 30, a motorized platen roller(not shown) or other well-known systems for the movement of paper orother types of receiver medium 24.

Web medium supply 32 supplies a web 25 of a medium used by printer 20during printing. As is shown in FIG. 1, web 25 can comprise a receivermedium 24 on which an image is formed. Examples of receiver medium 24include paper, films, fabrics, or any other substrate that can be usedto provide an image including but not limited webs of material that aresensitized with materials that react to print engine 22 to form images.Web 25 can also comprise a donor medium that bears materials that can beused by print engine 22 or other components of printer 20 duringprinting. Examples of donor mediums include thermal mass transfer donorwebs 25 that convey, for example, dyes, pigments, clear or opaquecoatings, protective materials, materials that can be used forauthenticity, metals or functional materials that can be transferredusing for example heat and pressure applied by a thermal type printengine 22, other print engine type or other systems in printer 20.Although the following discussion of printer 20 will illustrate examplesof web medium supply 32 delivering a single web 25, it will beappreciated that this is done for convenience only and that web mediumsupply 32 can have a plurality of such systems that operate in parallelto deliver more than one web 25 such as where a thermal print engine 22requires both a donor web 25 and a receiver web 25 or in any othersituation where any type of print engine 22 has need of multiple webs 25of medium to print.

A processor 34 operates print engine 22, medium advance 26, web mediumsupply 32 and other components of printer 20 described herein. Processor34 can include, but is not limited to, a programmable digital computer,a programmable microprocessor, a programmable logic processor, a seriesof electronic circuits, a series of electronic circuits reduced to theform of an integrated circuit, or a series of discrete components.Processor 34 operates printer 20 based upon input signals from a userinput system 36, sensor system 38, a memory 40 and a communicationsystem 54. Processor 34 can be a unitary device or it can comprise anyof a combination of various components some of which may be withinhousing 21 and others of which may be external thereto.

User input system 36 can comprise any form of transducer or other devicecapable of receiving an input from a user and converting this input intoa form that can be used by processor 34. For example, user input system36 can comprise a touch screen input, a touch pad input, a 4-way switch,a 6-way switch, an 8-way switch, a stylus system, a trackball system, ajoystick system, a voice recognition system, a gesture recognitionsystem, a keyboard, a remote control or other such systems. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, user input system 36 includes an optionalremote input 58 and a local input 68.

Sensor system 38 can include light sensors such as photocells andimagers, contact sensors and related sensing structures to actuate thecontact sensors, proximity sensors of Hall effect sensors, and or anyother sensors known in the art that can be used to detect conditions inthe environment proximate to or within printer 20 and any circuits orsystems that can generate signals indicative of the detected conditionto convert this information into a form that can be used by processor 34in governing operation of print engine 22 and/or other systems ofprinter 20. Sensor system 38 can include audio sensors adapted tocapture sounds. Sensor system 38 can also include positioning and othersensors used internally to monitor printer operations.

Memory 40 can include conventional memory devices including solid state,magnetic, optical or other data storage devices. Memory 40 can be fixedwithin printer 20 or it can be removable. In the embodiment of FIG. 1,printer 20 is shown having a hard drive 42, a disk drive 44 for aremovable disk such as an optical, magnetic or other disk memory (notshown) and a memory card slot 46 that holds a removable memory 48 suchas a removable memory card and has a removable memory interface 50 forcommunicating with removable memory 48. Data including but not limitedto control programs, digital images and metadata can also be stored in aremote memory system 52 that is external to printer 20 such as apersonal computer, computer network or other digital system.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, printer 20 has a communication system54 that is optionally used in this embodiment to communicate with remotememory system 52, remote display 56, and remote input 58. Remote input58 can take a variety of forms, including but not limited to, the remotekeyboard 58 a, remote mouse 58 b or remote control handheld device 58 cillustrated in FIG. 1. Remote display 56 and/or remote input 58 cancommunicate with communication system 54 wirelessly as illustrated orcan communicate in a wired fashion.

Similarly, local input 68 can take a variety of forms. In the embodimentof FIG. 1, local input 68 is shown that includes a local keyboard 68 aand a local mouse 68 b. Further, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, localdisplay 66 and local input 68 are shown being within housing 21 anddirectly connected to processor 34. In alternative embodiments, eitheror both of local display 66 and local input 68 can be connected toprocessor 34 by way of a wired or wireless connection with communicationsystem 54 and can be positioned outside of housing 21.

Communication system 54 can comprise for example, one or more optical,radio frequency, or other transducer circuits or other systems thatconvert image and other data into a form that can be conveyed to aremote device such as remote memory system 52 or remote display 56 usingan optical signal, radio frequency signal or other form of signal.Communication system 54 can also be used to receive a digital image andother data from a host computer or network (not shown), remote memorysystem 52 or remote input 58. Communication system 54 provides processor34 with information and instructions from signals received thereby.

Typically, communication system 54 will have circuits and systems thatcommunicate with other devices including a host computer or network (notshown), remote memory system 52, a remote input 58 by way acommunication network such as a conventional telecommunication or datatransfer network such as the internet, a cellular, peer-to-peer or otherform of mobile telecommunication network, a local communication networksuch as wired or wireless local area network or any other conventionalwired or wireless data transfer system. In this regard communicationsystem 54 can use any conventional communication circuits or components.

In operation, printing instructions are received from local input 68 orfrom communication system 54 causing a receiver medium 24 to be loadedfrom web medium supply 32 and causing print engine 22 and medium advance26 to cooperate to cause a desired image to be printed. These steps canbe performed in a conventional fashion.

Printer Medium Supply

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of a web medium supply 32 for printer20. As is shown in FIG. 2, web medium supply 32 has a web supply frame100 positioning a first mounting support 102 at a separation distance 90from a second mounting support 104 along or parallel to an axis ofrotation 92.

A first core mounting 110 is provided having a first surface 112 that isrotatably supportable by the first mounting support 102 and a firstengagement end 119 to support a first end 142 of a core 140. A secondcore mounting 130 is also provided having a second surface 132 that isrotatably supportable by the second mounting 104 and a second engagementend 139 to support a second end 144 of core 140.

Core 140 has a first open area 143 beginning at first end 142 andextending toward second end 144 and a second open area 145 beginning atsecond end 144 and extending toward first end 142. First open area 143and second open area 145 are shaped to receive first engagement end 119and second engagement end 139.

In this embodiment, first surface 112 has a cylindrical shape allowingfirst core mounting 110 to rotate about an axis of rotation 80.Similarly, second surface 132 has a cylindrical shape allowing secondcore mounting 130 to rotate about an axis of rotation 84. Other shapesand mounting arrangements can be used for first surface 112, secondsurface 132, first mounting support 102 and second mounting support 104that enable rotation consistent with what is described herein.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, first core mounting 110 and second coremounting 130 are shown taking the form of gudgeons that are separablefrom web medium supply 32. Accordingly, first core mounting 110 andsecond core mounting 130 can be assembled to a core 140 outside of theconfines of web medium supply 32 or frame 100 where there is typicallymore room to manipulate first core mounting 110, second core mounting130 and core 140.

First engagement end 119 of first core mounting 110 has a first coresupport surface 116 shaped for insertion into first open area 143 atfirst end 142 of core 140 while second core mounting 130 has a secondengagement end 139 with a second core support surface 136 shaped forinsertion into second open area 145 of core 140. First core supportsurface 116 and second core support surface 136 extend, respectively,into first open area 143 and second open area 145 of core 140 to anextent that supports the weight of core 140 and any web 25 wound thereonand that allows core 140 to rotate about axis of rotation 92 when firstsurface 112 is supported by first mounting support 102 and when thesecond surface 132 is supported by second mounting support 104.

As is shown in FIG. 3, when first core mounting 110 and second coremounting 130 are joined to a core 140 they form a core/mounting assembly152. As is shown in FIG. 4, core/mounting assembly 152 can be placedinto frame 100 by positioning the core/mounting assembly 152 so thatfirst surface 112 and second surface 132 are inserted into firstmounting support 102 and second mounting support 104. As is shown here,an optional actuator 182 is provided that can engage a first drivesurface 114 of first core mounting 110 or in an alternative embodiment asecond drive surface 134 of second core mounting 130 to drivecore/mounting assembly 152 to rotate.

As is also shown in FIG. 2, first core mounting 110 further has an firstengagement surface 118 proximate first engagement end 119 that is at afirst engagement angle 120 that is not perpendicular to an axis ofrotation 80 of first core mounting 110. As is shown here firstengagement surface 118 takes or generally follows the form of a planarsection of a hollow cylinder taken at first engagement angle 120relative to the axis of rotation 82 of core 140. Similarly, first end142 of core 140 has a first engaged surface 146 that is at a firstengaged angle 150 relative to an axis of rotation 82 of core 140. Firstengaged surface 146 likewise takes or generally follows the form of aplanar section of core 140.

When first end 142 of core 140 is mounted to first core mounting 110,and second end 144 of core 140 is mounted to second core mounting 130axis of rotation 80 of first core mounting 110 and axis of rotation 82of core 140 are aligned with an axis of rotation 84 of second coremounting 130. When first core mounting 110 and second core mounting 130are installed on first mounting support 102 and second mounting support104 and the angular relationship between first engagement angle 120 andthe first engaged angle 150 correspond, axes 80, 82 and 84 arecollectively aligned with axis of rotation 92.

The extent to which first core support surface 116 can be inserted intofirst open area 143 of core 140 is determined by the correspondencebetween first engagement angle 120 and first engaged angle 150.Accordingly, when first engagement angle 120 and first engaged angle 150correspond, first core support surface 116 can be inserted into firstend 142 of core 140 to an extent that supports first end 142 of core 140and any web 25 stored thereon and allows core/mounting assembly 152 tofit in the separation distance 90 between first mounting support 102 andsecond mounting support 104 such that core/mounting assembly 152 canrotate about axis of rotation 92.

However, when first engagement angle 120 and first engaged angle 150 donot correspond, first core mounting 110 and second core mounting 130 donot support core 140 for rotation about axis of rotation 92. This canoccur, for example, because the first core mounting 110 cannot beinserted into core 140 to an extent that is sufficient to create acore/mounting assembly 152 having a length that is within separationdistance 90 or because first core mounting 110 cannot be inserted intocore 140 to an extent that is sufficient to form a core/mountingassembly 152 that can support the load of core 140 and associated web 25in a manner that can be rotated about axis of rotation 92.

These outcomes provide a clear indication that a particular combinationof a first core mounting 110, second core mounting 130 and core 140 isnot correct as will be shown in the following examples of variousincorrect combinations of a core 140 with a first core mounting 110 anda second core mounting 130.

In one example shown in FIG. 5, a common loading error is illustratedthat arises when second end 144 of core 140 is assembled to first coremounting 110 and when a first end 142 of core 140 is assembled to secondcore mounting 130. As is shown in FIG. 5, second core mounting 130 has asecond core support surface 136 with a second engagement surface 138that is essentially perpendicular to the axis of rotation 82 of core 140and which contacts first engaged surface 146 at a position that definesone end of a separation distance 93 while first engagement surface 118of first core mounting 110 engages second engaged surface 148 to definea second end of separation distance 93. The mis-assembled core/mountingassembly 154 requires separation distance 93 that is greater thanseparation distance 90. Accordingly, such a mis-assembled core/mountingassembly 154 cannot be loaded into frame 100 and therefore cannot besupported by first mounting support 102 and second mounting support 104of frame 100 for rotation about an axis of rotation 92. This inabilityto mount core/mounting assembly 154 provides a clear indication thatsomething is incorrect with the assembly and further prevents anyattempt to use of core/mounting assembly 154.

In other examples shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, a core 140 has a first end142 with a first engaged surface 146 having a first engaged angle 150that does not correspond with a first engagement angle 120 of a firstengagement surface 118. This can occur in a variety of circumstances,including, but not limited to, situations where, for example, core 140being inserted into web medium supply 32 has a web 25 that is notintended for use with printer 20 or that is not of a type (e.g. donor orreceiver type) that is consistent with a type of web 25 that is to beloaded on first core mounting 110 and second core mounting 130 in webmedium supply 32, or where, for other reasons first core mounting 110 orsecond core mounting 130 are not intended for use with web medium supply32 or for use with core 140, such as where first core mounting 110 orsecond core mounting 130 are designed for use in a different printer orin any other situation where the combination of a particular first coremounting 110 or second core mounting 130 with core 140 is unintended,inappropriate, or incorrect.

In the example of FIG. 6 a mis-assembled core/mounting assembly 156 iscreated having a first core mounting 110 at a first engagement surface118 with a first engagement angle 120 that is less than a first engagedangle 150 of a core 140. As is illustrated in FIG. 6, the extent towhich first core support surface 116 of first core mounting 110 can beinserted into first end 142 of core 140 is limited to the extent ofinsertion provided when first engagement surface 118 contacts firstengaged surface 146. Accordingly, first core support surface 116 offirst core mounting 110 does not fully extend into first end 142 of core140 and there is a separation 160 between first engagement surface 118and a first engaged surface 146 opposite the point of contact. Thiscauses the core/mounting assembly 156 illustrated in FIG. 6 requires aseparation distance 94 that is greater than separation distance 90 thuspreventing a mis-assembled core/mounting assembly 156 from beingpositioned for rotation within frame 100 of web medium supply 32.

In another example illustrated in FIG. 7, a mis-assembled core/mountingassembly 158 is shown with a core 140 that has a first engaged surface146 that is at a first engaged angle 150 that is greater than a firstengagement angle 120. As is illustrated in FIG. 7, the extent to whichfirst core support surface 116 of first core mounting 110 can beinserted into first end 142 of core 140 is limited to the extent ofinsertion provided when first engagement surface 118 contact firstengaged surface 146. Accordingly, first core mounting 110 does notextent into first end 142 to an intended extent and there is aseparation 163 between first engagement surface 118 and a first engagedsurface 146 opposite from a point of contact. This causes themis-assembled core/mounting assembly 158 illustrated in FIG. 7 torequire a separation distance 95 that is greater than the separationdistance 90 in frame 100. This prevents mis-assembled core/mountingassembly 158 from being positioned within web supply frame 100 forrotation around axis of rotation 92 and provides a clear indication thatan incorrect combination has been used.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, a mis-assembled core/mountingassembly 161 has a core 140 with a first engaged surface 146 that is ata first engaged angle 150 that is greater than first engagement angle120 of first engagement surface 118 while still allowing first coremounting 110 to be mounted to core 140 to such that core/mountingassembly 161 has length 96 that is within the separation distance 90despite the presence of a first engaged angle 150 that does notcorrespond to first engagement angle 120. This is possible, for example,if core 140 is shortened relative to a length of core 140 shown forexample in FIGS. 5 and 6. Here first core support surface 116 can beinserted into core 140 to an extent that is less than the extentprovided when the first engagement angle 120 corresponds to the firstengaged angle 150 and creates a separation 163. This limits the amountof support that can be provided by first core mounting 140 and theselimits can cause separation of first core mounting 110 from core 140 orthat can introduce significant wobble or other rotation that is notaligned with the axis of rotation 92. Such conditions also serve noticeto an operator that core/mounting assembly 161 is not correct.Optionally as is shown in FIG. 8, first core mounting 110 can have atapered end cap 126 on first core support surface 116 that is angled toincrease the likelihood that insufficient engagement will cause suchseparation or introduce such wobble.

It will be appreciated from the examples of FIGS. 5-8 that the webmedium supply 32 is capable of providing a clear indication when acombination of a first core mounting 110, second core mounting 130 and acore 140 is incorrect.

The foregoing embodiments have been described using embodiments of webmedium supply 32 having a first core mounting 110 and a second coremounting 130 that are separable from frame 100. This is not limiting. Aswill now be described with respect to FIGS. 9-11, in other embodiments,web medium supply 32 can have first core mounting 110 and second coremounting 130 fixed to first mounting support 102 and second mounting104, respectively, such that core 140 and associated web 25 are mountedto first mounting support 102 and second mounting support 104 withinframe 100.

In this embodiment of FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, first surface 112 of firstcore mounting 110 and second surface 132 second core mounting 130 arefixed to first mounting support 102 and second mounting support 104. Asis shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when first mounting support 102 and secondmounting support 104 are separated by loading separation 97 a core 140can be positioned between first core mounting 110 and second coremounting 130, and then first mounting support 102 and second mountingsupport 104 can be moved along tracks 106 and 108 toward a positionwhere the first core mounting 110 and second core mounting 130 engagecore 140 and are separated by the separation distance 90. In alternativeembodiments, frame 100 can allow movement of first mounting support 102or second mounting support 104 in other ways including but not limitedto movement along a pivotal path.

Where, as shown in FIG. 10, first core mounting 110 has an firstengagement surface 118 that is at a first engagement angle 120 thatcorresponds to a first engaged angle 150 of a first engaged surface 146of core 140, first core mounting 110 and second core mounting 130 can bemoved to a position where first core mounting 110 and second coremounting 130 support core 140 and web 25 associated with core 140 forrotation about axis of rotation 92.

However, as is shown in FIG. 11 where first core mounting 110 has afirst engagement surface 118 that is at a first engagement angle 120that does not correspond to the first engaged angle 150 of a firstengaged surface of core 140, core 140 can prevent first mounting 110 andsecond mounting 130 from moving to a position that is separated byseparation distance 90. This prevents first core mounting 110 and secondcore mounting 130 from engaging core 140 to an extent that is sufficientto support core 140 and associated web 25 for rotation about axis ofrotation 92.

In this embodiment, this lack of support can stem from a failure offirst core mounting 102 and second core mounting 104 to reach a positionwhere first core mounting 102 and second core mounting 104 can be heldin place along tracks 106 and 108 or because, even if held in thisposition, first core mounting 100 and second core mounting 130 do notprovide sufficient support to enable core 140 to rotate about axis ofrotation 92 and to permit core 140 to rotate around axes other than axisof rotation 92. Accordingly, this approach also provides a clearindication that a combination of first core mounting 110, second coremounting 130 and core 140 is incorrect.

As shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14, in certain embodiments, web mediumsupply 32 can be used with a core 140 that has a first engaged surface146 at first end 142 that is not perpendicular to an axis of rotation 82of the core 140 and a second engaged surface 148 at second end 144 thatis not perpendicular to the axis of rotation 82 of core 140. In suchembodiments, web medium supply 32 provides a first core mounting 110having a first engagement surface 118 at a first engagement angle 120and a second core mounting 130 having a second engagement surface 135 ata second engaged angle 151 that correspond respectively to the firstengaged angle 150 and a second engaged angle 151. As is shown in FIG.13, where the first engagement angle 120 corresponds to the firstengaged angle 150 and the second engagement angle 121 corresponds to thesecond engaged angle 151, core 140 can be supported by first coremounting 110 and second core mounting 130 for rotation about the axis ofrotation 92.

However, where first engagement angle 120 and first engaged angle 150 donot correspond or where the second engagement angle 121 and secondengaged angle 151 do not correspond, first core mounting 110 and secondcore mounting 130 do not support core 140 for rotation about axis ofrotation 92 for the reasons generally described above.

It will also be appreciated that in addition to other advantages to bedescribed below, cores 140 of this type can be used to provide anadditional layer of protection against mis-loading of core 140 to webmedium supply 32. Similarly, when cores 140 of the type illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 13 are used with web medium supply 32, web medium supply 32provides a clear indication of an incorrect combination of a second end144 of core 140 of this type with a second core mounting 120 resultingfrom any of the examples of mis-assembly described above in FIGS. 6-9with reference to the first core mounting 110 and first end 142 of core140.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show another embodiment of a core 140 that can be usedin any of the embodiments described herein but that is shown forexample, in this embodiment used with the embodiment of web mediumsupply 32 consistent with that shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

As is shown in FIG. 14 this embodiment, a core 140 is provided having afirst end 142 and a second end 144 that are arranged such that a longestlength L of core 140 between a the first end 142 and second end 144 iswithin a width 98 of a web 25 wound on core 140. This arrangement makescore 140 and web 25 more compact and of a less irregular shape. Thisfacilitates shipping of core 140 and web 25, by lowering packaging costsand reducing the amount of space required of to ship core 140 and web25. Further, this arrangement makes core 140 and web 25 less likely tobe subject to an effect known as telescoping.

Telescoping can occur, for example, when a core 140 and a web 25 aredropped or otherwise subject to unequal loads or acceleration along theaxis of rotation 82 of core 140. Such unequal loads can cause the core140 to move along the axis of rotation 82 of core 140 relative to web 25such that a portion of the mass of the web 25 shifts laterally along thelength of core 140. This telescoping effect can occur where, forexample, a core 140 and web 25 are dropped such that core 140 strikesthe ground and decelerates at a rate that is significantly faster thanthe web 25 does. In such a case, core 140 immediately ceases movementwhile the mass of web 25 continues to move causing web 25 to uncoilwhile shifting laterally to create a telescopic appearance. Suchtelescoping issues can also arise where core 140 and web 85 are subjectto a differential acceleration that can occur for example duringshipping or transport. The telescoping of web 25 can be difficult tocorrect and can damage web 25.

In the embodiment of FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, the risk of such telescopingproblems is substantially reduced by providing a core 140 that is, at alongest length within a width of a web 25 mounted thereon. As can beseen in FIG. 15, this arrangement also advantageously allows web mediumsupply 32 to be made smaller laterally, which allows web medium supply32 to be made smaller because the separation distance 99 can be madesmaller than, for example, a separation distance 90 as illustrated inFIGS. 2-4.

While first core mounting 110 and second core mounting 130 have beenshown as being of a type that can have a first core support surface 116and a second core support surface 136 respectively that support core 140from an inside portion, it will be appreciated that in otherembodiments, first core mounting 110 and second core mounting cansupport first end 142 of core 140 and second end 144 of core 140 bysupport structures that overlap first end 142 and a second end 144 ofcore 140 on an outside of core 140 to an extent that provides externalsupport and that in such embodiments first engagement surface 118 andsecond engagement surface 138 will be positioned within the first coresupport surface 116 and second core support surface 136.

It will be understood that correspondence of a first engagement angle120 to a first engaged angle 150 and correspondence of a secondengagement angle 121 to a second engaged angle 151 do not require anexact match of angles as there are, of course, various degree oftolerances within any system involving multiple components and thereforethe extent of correspondence required in any system can vary based uponthe dimensional characteristics and stability of the web medium supply32, the core 140, and the first core mounting 110 and the second coremounting 130, such as the lengthening of a core, the separation distance90, the extent of engagement between core 140 and first core mounting110 and second core mounting 130. In general, therefore, the firstengaged angle 150 and the first engagement angle 120 correspond wherethe first engaged angle 150 and the angle of the first engagement angle120 are such that core 140 can be mounted to first core mounting 110 andthe second core mounting 130 such that a total length of the core 140,first core mounting 110 and second core mounting 130 is withinseparation distance 90 within which first core mounting 110 can besupported by the first mounting support 102 and the second core mounting120 can be supported by the second mounting support 104 for rotationabout the axis of rotation 92.

Determining Data Related to the Web

FIG. 16 shows a first embodiment of a web medium supply 32 that isadapted to determine data related to a web 25 of medium on a core 140.In this embodiment, a first engaged surface 146 of core 140 is providedwith a first engaged angle 150 that is one of a plurality of differentfirst engaged angles 150. Each of the plurality of different firstengaged angles 150 is logically associated with different data.Accordingly, by providing a sensor system 38 that can sense the firstengaged angle 150 or that can sense conditions that are indicative ofthe first engaged angle 150 on a core 140 data regarding a web 25 woundon core 140 can be determined.

In the embodiment of FIG. 16 web medium supply 32 has a first mountingsupport 102 that is adapted to receive any of a plurality of differentfirst core mountings 110, illustrated for example in FIGS. 17A, 17B and17C, as first core mounting 110A, first core mounting 11013 and firstcore mounting 110C.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 17A, 17B and 17C, a first core mounting 110Ahas a first engagement surface 118A that is at a first engagement angle120A, another first core mounting 110B has a first engagement surface118B at a first engagement angle 120B still another first core mounting110C has a first engagement surface 118C with a first engagement angle120C. First engagement angles 120A, 120B and 120C correspond to one ofthe plurality of first engaged angles and are logically associated withthe data. Here, first engagement angles 120A, 120B and 120C aredifferent. As is also illustrated in FIGS. 17A, 17B, 17C, each of theplurality of first core mountings 110A, 11013 and 110C has one set ofthree different first detectable features 180A, 180B and 180C.

Accordingly, processor 34 can determine data associated with web 25 bydetecting which one of first mounting 120A, 120B, or 120C is mounted tocore 140 when core 140 is joined to first core mounting 110 and secondcore mounting 130 to form a core/mounting assembly 152 and themounting/core assembly 152 is mounted between first mounting support 102and second mounting support 104.

Returning to FIG. 16, it will be observed that sensor system 38 providesa first sensor 162 that is positioned relative to frame 100 such thatfirst sensor 162 can sense any of first detectable features 180A, 180Band 180C. When first sensor 162 senses one of the plurality of firstdetectable features 180A, 180B, and 180C, first sensor 162 generates afirst sensor signal from which processor 34 can determine which one offirst detectable features 180A, 180B and 180C is on a first coremounting 110.

Processor 34 can then determine data regarding web 25 wound on core 140based upon this information. This can be done, for example byreferencing a look up table (LUT) that correlates each of the firstdetectable features 180A, 180B and 180C that can be used to determinecharacteristics of the web 25 wound on core 140.

In the embodiments of FIG. 16, sensor system 38 is shown having anoptional a second sensor 164 that is positioned relative to frame 100such that second sensor 164 can sense an optional second detectablefeature 184 on second core mounting 130. This allows additionalinformation to be provided on core 140 by defining core 140 to furtherhave a second engaged surface 148 that is at one of a plurality ofsecond engaged angles 151 each associated with some additional data.Here too, second sensor 164 can sense second engaged angle 151 or secondsensor 164 can sense conditions that are indicative of the secondengaged angle 151 and the additional data can be determined. In theembodiment of FIG. 16, this sensing is likewise done for example, bysensing which of a plurality of second detectable features of aplurality of second core mountings 130 shown in FIGS. 17D, 17E, and 17Fis to second end of core 140 when positioned in second mounting support104.

As is illustrated in FIG. 16, an actuator 182 is provided that isresponsive to processor 34 to provide a force that, for example, can beused to control rotation of core 140, for example, to cause core 140urge core 140 to rotate or to come to rest. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 16, actuator 182 comprises a motor that engages a first drivesurface 114 of first core mounting 110 and transfers forces fromactuator 182 to drive rotation of core 140. However, accurate rotationof core 140 can require some degree of feedback. Accordingly, firstsensor 162 or second sensor 164 can be used for the additional purposeof sending signals to processor 34 from which processor 34 can determinea rate of rotation of core 140 and can send signals to actuator 183 toadjust a rate of rotation. In an alternative embodiment, actuator 182can alternatively drive a second drive surface 134 on second coremounting 130 rather than driving first core mounting 110. In still otherembodiments, not illustrated, actuator 182 can be positioned on frame100 such that it can apply urging forces to either first surface 112 orsecond surface 132 to influence rotation of core 140. In any of theseconfigurations the use of signals from first sensor 162 or second sensor164 can be used to provide such feedback signals in addition toproviding sensing of first detectable feature 180 and second detectablefeature 184 respectively.

FIG. 18 shows another embodiment of a web medium supply 32 that can beused to determine data related to a web 25 of medium on a core 140. Inthis embodiment, this determination is made based upon the relativerotational positions of first engaged surface 146 and second engagedsurface 148 about the circumference of core 140. In this regard, it willbe appreciated that first engaged surface 146 and second engaged surface148 generally follow cylindric sections across core 140. These cylindricsections can be taken at any rotational position around core 140.Accordingly, for a particular core 140 first engaged surface 146 canfollow a cylindric section taken at a first rotational position whilesecond engaged surface 148 can follow a cylindric section taken at asecond rotational position. Data can be associated with particularpositional relationships such that the data regarding the web 25 on core140 can be determined by sensing the rotational position of firstengaged surface 146 and second engaged surface 148 or by sensingconditions that are indicative of the relative rotational positions.

FIGS. 19A-19E illustrate a plurality of different cores 140A, 140B, and140C that can have data that is associated with the separation betweenthe rotational position of first engaged surfaces 146A, 146B, 146C andthe rotational positions of second engaged surfaces 148A, 148B and 148C.As is shown here, first engaged surface 146A is at a first rotationalposition 170A second engaged surface 148B is at a second rotationalposition 170B and second engaged surface 148C is at a third rotationalposition 170C relative to position of first engaged surface 146. Forclarity, first engaged surface 146 is maintained in the same positionfor each of the cores 140A, 140B and 140C.

As is shown in a side view in FIG. 19A and as illustrated in top view inFIG. 19B core 140A at second engaged surface 148 has a 90 degree offsetfrom first engaged surface 146A and faces in the direction of the sideview. This rotational separation can be associated with first dataregarding a web (not shown) on core 140A. Core 140B is shown in a topview in FIG. 19C and in a side view in FIG. 19D as having a secondengaged surface 148 that is at a rotational position that is also 90degrees offset from the rotational position of the first engaged surfacebut in the opposite direction this relative rotational separation can beassociated with second data regarding a web (not shown) on core 140B.Further, as is also shown in FIG. 19E and in top view in FIG. 19F,another core 140C has a second engaged surface 148 at the samerotational position as first engaged surface 146 and therefore providesno rotational separation. This relative rotational separation can belogically associated with third data regarding a web 25 on core 140C.

FIGS. 20A-20B show a first core mounting 110 and a second core mounting130 that can be used with any of cores 140A, 140B and 140C shown inFIGS. 19A-19F. As is shown in FIG. 20A, first core mounting 110 has afirst detectable feature 180 at a first rotational position and that hasa known rotational positional relationship with the rotational positionat which first engagement surface 118 is taken. In FIG. 20A theserotational positions are shown at an aligned rotational relationship.FIG. 20B shows a second core mounting 130 that can be used with any ofcores 140A, 140B and 140C. As is shown in FIG. 20B second core mounting130 has a second detectable feature 184A that is at a second rotationalposition 175 and that is at a known positional relationship with thesecond engagement surface 138. Here in FIG. 20B the positionalrelationship is an opposing positional relationship with seconddetectable feature 184 being arranged 180 degrees from an angle at whichsecond engagement surface 138 is taken.

Returning to FIG. 18, core 140A is illustrated as being joined to firstcore mounting 110 and to second core mounting 130 and loaded withinframe 100 for rotation about axis of rotation 92. In this embodiment,printer 20 has a web medium supply 32 having a first sensor 162 and asecond sensor 164 joined to frame 100 and positioned to sense,respectively when first detectable feature 180 is rotated past firstsensor 162 and when second detectable feature 184 is rotated past secondsensor 164.

FIG. 21 shows a first embodiment of a method for operating a web mediumsupply 32 of a printer 20 to determine data regarding a web 25 on a core140 such as core 140A. As is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 22 in afirst step (step 190), a core data condition is detected indicating thatan automatic core data acquisition process is to be executed. In oneembodiment, a core data condition can be a signal received from userinput system 36 indicating that a new core is to be installed in webmedium supply 32.

In other embodiments, sensor system 38 of printer 20 can include sensorsthat can detect when a web medium supply access door or panel (notshown) has been opened, when a load that is borne by a first mountingsupport 102 or a second mounting support 104 is transitions from aloaded condition to an unloaded condition, when a core 140 is notpositioned between first core mounting 110 and second core mounting 130or when there is insufficient web 25 on core 140.

In still other embodiments, operational conditions can be calculated orautomatically determined that indicate that a change of cores isrequired or that it is required to load a core between the first coremounting and the second core mounting. This can occur, for example wherethere is a need to change or replace a receiver medium or donor mediumbecause of operating conditions. A core data condition can also arise ata startup or reset of printer 20. When any of these conditions or anyother condition suggests that capturing or verifying data regarding aweb 25 on a core 140 would be useful or appropriate is sensed ordetermined by processor 34 for printer 20 can determine that the coredata condition exists.

After such a core data condition is sensed or determined processor 34causes sensor system 38 to sense conditions from which a difference inthe rotational positions of a first engaged surface 146 at a first end142 of a core 140 and a second engaged surface 148 at a second end 144of core 140 can be determined (step 192). There are a variety of ways inwhich this can be done automatically. For example, in the embodiment ofFIG. 18, processor 34 can cause actuator 182 to rotate first mounting110, core 140A and second core mounting 130 after a core such as core140A mounted to first core mounting 110 and second core mounting 130.During rotation, a rotational position of a first detectable feature 180on first core mounting 110 is sensed and a rotational position of seconddetectable feature 184 on second core mounting 130 is sensed.

As is illustrated in FIG. 20A first core mounting 110A has a firstdetectable feature 180 at a known rotational position with respect tofirst engagement surface 118. For the reasons discussed above, firstengagement surface 118 corresponds to first engaged surface 146A of core140A and arranged in a fashion that has first engagement surface 118rotationally aligned with the first engaged surface 146 of a core 140when mounted in frame 100. Accordingly, the rotational position of firstdetectable feature 180 is indicative of the rotational position of thefirst engaged surface 146A of core 140A.

Similarly, as is illustrated in FIG. 20B, second detectable feature 184on second core mounting 130 has a known rotational position with respectto second engagement surface 138 for the reasons also discussed above,is rotationally aligned with second engaged surface 148A of core 140A tosecond end 144 of core 140 and when assembled mounted in frame 100 suchthat the rotational position of the second detectable feature 184 isindicative of the rotational position of second engaged surface 148. Inone example, rotational positions can be assigned by sensing when duringrotation, the first detectable feature 180 of the first core mounting110 is sensed by sensor system 38 and the second detectable feature 184of the second core mounting 130 is sensed by sensor system 38.

In the embodiment of FIG. 18, sensor system 38 uses first sensor 162 andsecond sensor 164 to detect first detectable feature 180 and seconddetectable feature 184, however, other sensors can be used. For example,sensor system 38 can provide an arrangement of sensors (not shown) thatcan be provided at fixed locations about the path of rotation the firstcore mounting 110 and second core mounting 130 such that the rotationalposition of first detectable feature 180 and second detectable feature184 can be determined without rotation of core 140.

Alternatively, sensor system 38 can have a first sensor 162 and secondsensor 164 positioned as indicated in FIG. 18 and capable of sensing therelative rotational positions of a first detectable feature 180 andsecond detectable feature 184 without rotating core 140. This can bedone where first detectable feature 180 and second detectable feature184 provide a plurality of differentiable portions positioned atdifferent rotational positions on the first core mounting 110 and thesecond core mounting such that sensor system 38 can provide signals thatare indicative of the relative rotational positions of first coremounting 110 and second core mounting 130 from which the relativerotational positions can be determined. For example, the firstdetectable feature 180 and second detectable feature 184 can be providedsuch that they can be sensed with different intensities at variousrotational positions of first core mounting 110 and second core mounting130. Processor 34 can then determine the rotational position of thefirst core mounting 110 and second core mounting 130 based upon theintensity of the portions of first detectable feature 180 and seconddetectable feature 184 confronting first sensor 162 and second sensor164.

In another embodiment, the rotational positions of the first engagedsurface 146 and second engaged surface 148 can be sensed by determiningan initial rotational position of a first core mounting 110 and a secondcore mounting 130 when a core data condition is sensed and detecting anamount of rotation of the first core mounting 110 and the second coremounting 110 required to enable the core 140A to be mounted on firstcore mounting 110 and second core mounting 130. Optionally, therotational positions of first core mounting 110 and second core mounting130 can be mechanically reset to a reference position upon detecting thecore data condition either by active controlled movement of the firstcore mounting 110 and second core mounting 130 by one or more actuators(not shown) or by passive controlled movement of first core mounting 110and second core mounting 130 such as can occur where the first coremounting 110 and second core mounting 130 are mechanically biased to aneutral position by a spring or other resilient member or actuator (notshown).

Data regarding a web 25 on the core 140A is then determined based uponthe sensed conditions (step 194). In this regard, processor 34 can thendetermine data regarding web 25 wound on core 140 based upon signalsfrom the sensor system 38 from which a rotational position of the firstdetectable feature 180 and second detectable feature 184 can bedetermined. This can be done, for example, by referencing a look uptable (LUT) that correlates rotational positions of first detectablefeature 180 and second detectable feature 184 with particular data thatcan be used to determine characteristics of the web 25 wound on a core140. Alternatively, rotational positions of first detectable feature 180and second detectable feature 184 can be used to determine therotational positions of the first engaged surface 146 and the secondengaged surface 148 using a LUT that correlates rotational positions ofthe first engaged surface and the second engaged surface or a calculatedrotational separation between the first engaged surface 146 and thesecond engaged surface 148 with particular characteristics of a web 25.Other forms of logical association can be used.

The data determined from the look up table or other logical associationcan itself provide data regarding the web 25 on the core 140A or thedetermined data indicate reference data that can be used to obtainregarding the web 25 from a reference source, such as data thatinstructs processor 34 where such data can be obtained or derived forexample, from a particular memory location which can be local or in aremote memory system 52 such as a remote data server or that providesdata that can be used to identify a formula or other calculation thatcan be used to calculate information regarding the web, or data that canbe used in such a formula.

Processor 34 can use this data to establish appropriate parameters forprinting using the web. This data can be used to adjust the printingprocess or to obtain data that can be used to adjust the printingprocess based upon the characteristics of the web medium. For example,and without limitation, the data can be indicative of webcharacteristics including surface gloss, thickness, age of the medium,the batch of the medium, grain direction, dye composition, manufactureridentification, density information, and color information. Processor 34can use such data to establish printing speeds, color densities, theneed for an overcoat, the need for gloss adjustment or any of a numberof operating characteristics of a printer.

In this manner it is possible to provide data that is associated withany of a plurality of different webs by winding each different web 25 onone of a plurality of cores 140 having different rotational positions ofa first engaged surface 146 at a first end 142 of the core 140 androtational positions of a second engaged surface 148 at a second end 144of the core 140 such that the separation between the rotational positionthe first engaged surface 146 and the second engaged surface 148 areindicative of data related to the web 25 recorded thereon. Further, suchdata can be obtained by steps of sensing the rotational position of thefirst core mounting 110 and the second core mounting 130 and determiningthe data based either upon the separation of the rotational positions ofthe first core mounting 110 and second core mounting 130 or by using theseparation of the rotational separation between the first core mounting110 and second core mounting 130 to determine the rotational position ofthe first engaged surface 146 and the rotational position of the secondengaged surface 148 from which the data is then determined.

The first detectable feature 180 and second detectable feature 184 cantake many forms including but not limited to optically detectablefeatures such as comparatively reflective or comparatively dark areas offirst core mounting 110 and second core mounting 130 or such as openingsin first core mounting 110 or second core mounting 130, mechanicallydetectable features, electrically detectable features, orelectromagnetically detectable features.

The first detectable feature 180 and the second detectable feature 184can be assembled to first core mounting 110 and second core mounting130. Alternatively, the first detectable feature 180 and the seconddetectable feature 184 can be formed from a common substrate with firstcore mounting 110 and second core mounting 130 or otherwise fabricatedwith the first core mounting 110 and the second core mounting 130 suchas where the first core mounting 110 and second core mounting 130 arefabricated having surface features from which first detectable feature180 and second detectable feature 184.

Sensor system 38 can use sensors of conventional design such aselectro-optical, electro-mechanical, electromagnetic or other sensorsthat can detect such embodiments of detectable features 180 and 184.Sensor system 38 need only be capable of sensing when a first detectablefeature 180 or second detectable feature 184 is present in a definedarea relative to the sensor system 38 or of generating a differentiablesignals that allows discrimination between portions of first detectablefeature 180 or of second detectable feature 184 that are distributedrotationally around the first core mounting and the second core mountingto indicate which portion is in a defined area relative to sensor system38, any known sensor that can detect any feature of first core mounting110 or second core mounting 130 ways can be used for this purpose. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 18 there is no requirement that the sensor system38 is capable of reading any data encoded in markings or RFIDtransponders.

It will also be appreciated that this arrangement is highly robust asthe detected planes are not as vulnerable to damage as markings or RFIDtags and as generic core 140 to be used to load all of a plurality ofdifferent webs 25, the conditions that must be sensed to determine therotational positions on phase differences between cores such as cores140A, 140B, and 140C that can be automatically detected during loadingor during rotation with presence/absence type sensors and sensingsystems, or intensity type sensors.

Optionally, the first engaged angle 150 or second engaged angle 151 orthe rotational positions at which first engaged surface 146 or secondengaged surface 148 are provided can be defined on a core 140 after web25 has been wound thereon using slicing, cutting, or other processesthat can be quickly and cleanly executed thus allowing a core 140 tohave these features.

The different rotational positions of the first core mounting 110 andthe second core mounting 130 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 19A-19F areexemplary only. A large number of potential rotational separations arepossible and plurality of cores is possible that can be used to providedata regarding a large number of different webs. It will be appreciatedby using this method, a sensor system 38 generate signals from whichdata regarding the web 25 on a core 140 can be determined while beingsimpler and more robust than readers required to read markings or tosense RFID tags. Accordingly, a low cost and high reliability method isprovided that can provide information regarding a large number ofdifferent web mediums.

Core Drive Arrangements

As is generally noted above, the inertial loads created by a core 140and associated web 25 can be significant. To control movement of core140 control forces are generated using an actuator and then these forcesare applied through, for example, first core mounting 110 to core 140.To do this successfully, core 140 itself should be capable of respondingto such forces without either disruptively damaging core 140 and withoutslipping relative to first mounting 110. The design of a core 140 thatmeets these requirements would suggest the use of a core that has acertain range of size or weight or that is made from specialty materialsor complex designs. While such an approach can yield commercially viableand highly useful systems, such an approach can limit design freedomwith respect to the size, weight, complexity or cost of printer 20.Further the core cost, complexity, weight or volume will be multipliedby the number of cores that web medium supply 32 is adapted to supplyand therefore the design of a core 140 can have a meaningful influenceon the total cost of size of a printer 20 and can also influence the perprint cost of such a printer.

Conversely, to the extent that the size, weight or component cost of thecores 140 used in web medium supply 32 of printer 20 can be reduced, itis possible to achieve reductions in the size, weight or complexity ofcomponents of web medium supply 32 and printer 20, and the benefits ofsuch reductions will also be multiplied by the number of cores 140 webmedium supply 32 is adapted to supply.

With objectives of securing any of these and other benefits in mind,FIG. 22 shows a schematic view of another embodiment of a web mediumsupply 32. As is shown in FIG. 22, web medium supply 32 comprises aframe 100 having a first mounting support 102 and second mountingsupport 104 that are positioned along an axis of rotation 92 andseparated by a separation distance 90 during the supply of web 25.

First core mounting 110 is also provided having a first surface 112 thatis supportable by the first mounting 102 for rotation about the axis ofrotation 92 and a first engagement end 119 to which a first end 142 of acore 140 can be mounted. First core mounting 112 also has a firstengagement surface 118 through which a first force urging the first coremounting 110 to rotate can be transmitted to core 140 to urge core 140to rotate with first core mounting 110.

A second core mounting 130 is also provided having a second surface 132that is rotatably supportable by the second mounting 104 for rotationabout the axis of rotation 92 second core support surface 136 to which asecond end 144 of the core 140 can be mounted. Second core mounting 112also has a second drive surface 134 through which a second force urgingthe second core mounting 130 to rotate can be transmitted to core 140 tourge core 140 to rotate with second core mounting 130.

As is shown in FIG. 22, web medium supply 32 has a drive transmission200 with an input end 202, a first output 204 mechanically linked tofirst core mounting 110 to apply the first force to first core mounting110 and a second output 210 mechanically linked to second core mounting130 to apply the second force to second core mounting 130.

In the embodiment that is illustrated in FIG. 23, drive transmission 200mechanically links input end 202 to first output 204 and to secondoutput 210 and distributes an amount of force supplied at input end 202to first output 204 and to second output 210 so that first output 204and second output 210 respectively apply the first force to first coremounting 110 and the second force to second core mounting 130 such thatthe first force and the second force can, in combination, controlrotation of first core mounting 110, second core mounting 130, core 140and web 25.

In this embodiment, drive transmission 200 is shown with a transmissionlinkage 201 linking input end 202 to first output 204 and second output210 by way of an input gear 212, a first output gear 214 and a secondoutput gear 216 that directly intermesh to drive first output 204 andsecond output 210 such that first output 204 and second output 210rotate according to the same input force. In this embodiment, firstoutput gear 214 and second output gear 216 match so that first output204 and second output 210 move at the same rate of rotation and in phasein response to rotation of input end 202, for example, by an actuator182. In this way, the embodiment of drive transmission 200 illustratedin FIG. 22 can ensure that first end 142 and second end 144 of core 140are held in a range of rotational positions relative to each other. Thisarrangement of drive transmission 200 is not limiting and otherconventional types of transmissions can be used to the extent that suchother conventional transmissions perform the functions described herein.

As is also shown in the embodiment of FIG. 22, first output 204 ismechanically linked to first drive surface 114 of first core mounting110 to provide an interface through which the first force can beapplied, while second output 210 is mechanically linked to second drivesurface 134 of second core mounting 134 to provide an interface throughwhich the second force can be applied.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 22, first drive surface 114 isgeared and is mechanically linked to first output 204 by way of anintermeshing first drive gear 220 that is driven by first output 204.Similarly second core mounting 130 has a second drive surface 134 thatis geared and that is mechanically linked to intermeshing second drivegear 222 that is driven by second output 210. In one embodiment, firstdrive gear 220 and first drive surface 114 are geared so that theyintermesh in the same way that second drive gear 222 and second drivesurface 134 intermesh so that an amount of input from first output 204and second output 210 will cause the same amount of rotation of firstcore mounting 110 and second core mounting 130.

In certain embodiments, it may be necessary or useful to providedifferential gearing of first output gear 214 and second output gear216. This can be done as desired to the extent that any differences inoutput caused by such differences can be compensated for by way of othersystems to ensure that the first end 142 and second end 144, of core 140maintain a rotational position that is within a range of rotationalpositions. For example, it may be useful or necessary to compensate fordifferences in the gearing of first output gear 214 and second outputgear 216 through differences in the way in which first drive gear 220and first drive surface 114 and second drive gear 222 and second drivesurface 134 intermesh. This allows for some flexibility in the design ofthe overall system as may be necessary to support other considerationsin the design of the overall printer 20.

It will be appreciated that by driving core 140 from both first end 142and second end 144 in phase, the first end 142 and second end 144 ofcore 140 will remain within a fixed range of rotational positionsrelative to each other, and the amount of torque experienced in core 140at each of first end 142 and second end 144 will be significantlyreduced as compared to an alternative where, for example, all of thetorque created by the inertial load of core 140 and associated web 25must pass through one end of core 140.

Because the amount of torque required to provide controllable rotationof core 140 and web 25 including that required manage the inertial loadsis applied through first end 142 and second end 144, a first yieldstrength of core 140 at first end 142 and a second yield strength ofcore 140 at second end 144, can be lower than a third yield strengthrequired of an alternative core (not shown in FIG. 22) having the sameweb 25 thereon and but that is driven only from first end 142 or secondend 144. Accordingly, a core 140 driven in this way can be made smallerlighter, or of less costly materials or of a simpler design than such analternative core.

It will also be appreciated that in these embodiments the first force istransferred from first core mounting 110 to first end 142 of core 140 atthe interface between first engagement surface 118 and first engagedsurface 146. This provides an area of driving contact that circumscribescore 140. Accordingly there is no opportunity for slippage of first coremounting 110 relative to core 140. Further, the extent of such contactarea ensures that there is tolerance for incidental damage to a portionof core 140 while still allowing the use of core 140 with first coremounting 110. Thus first end 142 can be damaged to an extent that woulddestroy, for example, a notch used in a conventional interface between acore and a mounting while still remaining useful. Similar outcomes areachieved at the second end 144 of core 140, where the second force isapplied to the core 140 through an interface between the secondengagement surface 138 and the second engaged surface 148. In otherembodiments, the first engagement surface 118 and second engagementsurface 138 can take other forms.

The driving of input end 202 can be done in any conventional fashion. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 22, input end 202 is shown being driven byactuator 182 which can be, for example and without limitation, a motor.

In many cases, the amount of the first force and the second forceapplied will be generally constant and the first force and the secondforce are applied to cause the first end and the second end to maintaina determined average rate of rotation over the course of each rotationof the core 140 unless instructed to change the rate of rotation.Alternatively, the first force and the second force can be applied tocause the first end 142 and the second end 144 to maintain a determinedaverage rotational relationship over the course of each rotation of thecore 140.

However, where the inertial load experienced by the core 140 is greaterat one of the first end 142 and the second end 144 than at the other ofthe first end 142 and the second end 144 so that a first component ofthe inertial load experienced at the first end 142 of the core 140 is ata first level and so that a second component the experienced at thesecond end during rotation is at a second different level, and whereinthe first force and the second force are in proportion to the componentof the inertial load experienced at the first end 142 and the second end144. In such a situation, drive transmission 200 will be adapted toprovide such different levels of force.

FIG. 23 shows an alternative embodiment in which drive transmission 200further comprises a cross-core force conveyor 230 that extends from aside of frame 100 confronting first end 142 of core 140 to a side offrame 100 confronting second end 144 of core 140. Cross-core forceconveyor 230 is movable to convey a force from an actuator 182 proximateto first end 142 of core 140 to second end 144. As is shown in theembodiment of FIG. 23, cross-core force conveyor 230 comprises a shaftthat is positioned outside of frame 100 and that can rotate in responseto a rotational force provided at an input end 202 by actuator 182. Inother embodiments, cross-core force conveyor 230 can comprise, withoutlimitation, any of a shaft, a rod, a belt, a chain, or a wire.

As is also shown in FIG. 23, in this embodiment, a first output 204 ofdrive transmission 200 is provided by a first flexible link 234 betweencross-core force conveyor 230 and first end of core 140. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 23, first flexible link 234 comprises abelt, however, other forms of flexible interface including but notlimited to wires, belts, chains, and flexible tension members can beused.

Similarly, in this embodiment, a second output 210 of drive transmission200 is provided by a second flexible link 236 between cross-core forceconveyor 230 and second end 144 of core 140 of first end 142. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 24, first flexible link 234 comprises abelt, however, other forms of flexible interface including but notlimited to wires, belts, chains, and flexible tension members can beused.

As is also shown in phantom in FIG. 23 are an alternative first flexiblelink 234′ and an alternative second flexible link 236′ that engage firstcore mounting 110 and second core mounting 130 outside of frame 100.

FIG. 24 shows an alternative embodiment where drive transmission 200 hasa cross-core force conveyor 230 that passes through core 140. Here, core140 has a first open area 143 and a second open area 145 that combine todefine a passageway between first end 142 and second end 144 throughwhich first core mounting 110 and second core mounting 130 can extend.In this embodiment, first core mounting 110 and second core mounting 130can be joined by interfacing members 111 and 131 when the firstengagement surface 118 has a first engagement angle 120 that correspondsto a first engaged angle 150 of a first engaged surface 146 andoptionally when second engaged surface 148 has a second engaged angle151 that corresponds to a second engagement angle 121.

In the embodiment of FIG. 24, a drive transmission 200 is formed by thecombined first core mounting 110 and second core mounting 130, such thatan input force applied to either of first core mounting 110 or secondcore mounting 130 is distributed between first core mounting 110 andsecond mounting 130 and will ensure that first end 142 and second end144 of core 140 maintain a desired rotational positional relationshipbetween first end 142 and second end 144 of core 140.

FIG. 25 shows yet another embodiment of a web medium supply 32 that canapply a first force to a first end 142 of a core 140 and a second forceto second end 144 of core 140. However, in this embodiment a controller300 uses a first actuator 182A to apply a first force to first coremounting 110 at first output 204 and a second actuator 182B to apply asecond force to second core mounting 130 at second output 210. Firstactuator 182A and second actuator 182B typically comprise motors thatcan be rotated in response to electrical signals provided thereto. Inthis regard, in certain embodiments, first actuator 182A and secondactuator 182B can comprise stepper motors, or any other conventionaldirect current or alternating current motors of conventional design. Inother embodiments first actuator 182A and second actuator 182B cancomprise any other form of electrically controlled actuators that canreceive an electrical signal and generate, in response to the receivedelectrical signal, a determined force within a range of available forcesthat can be applied to first end 142 and second end 144 of core 140respectively to cause core 140 to rotate.

Similarly, first output 204 and can comprise any known form of linkagebetween first actuator 182A and first core mounting 110 including butnot limited to the types of first output 204 shown in the embodimentsabove while second output 210 can comprise any known form of linkagebetween second actuator 182B and second core mounting 130 including butnot limited to the embodiments of second output 210 described above.

In the embodiment of FIG. 25, a first sensor 162 senses a condition fromwhich a rotational position of first end 142 of core 140 can bedetermined and generates a first sensor signal from which the rotationalposition of the first end 142 of mixing core 140 can be determined.Similarly, a second sensor 164 senses a condition from which arotational position of a second end 144 of core 140 can be determinedand generates a second sensor signal from which the rotational positionof the second end 144 of the core 140 can be determined.

First sensor 162 and second sensor 164 can comprise any type ofmechanical, electro-mechanical, optical, electrical or magnetic sensorof any type that can sense any condition that is indicative of arotational position of first end 142 and second end 144 of core 140 andthat can provide a first sensor signal and a second sensor signal fromwhich processor 34 can determine the rotational position of first end142 and second end 144, and can, in certain embodiments comprise any ofthe embodiments of first sensor 162 and second sensor 164 describedabove and can be used for both the purposes described above and thosedescribed here.

As is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 25, controller 300 receives thefirst sensor signal and the second sensor signal and generates a firstcontrol signal causing first actuator 182A to operate so that a firstforce is applied to first core mounting 110 and from first core mounting110 to the first end 142 of core 140. Controller 300 also generates asecond control signal causing second actuator 184B to operate so that asecond force is applied to second core mounting 130 and from second coremounting 130 to the second end 144 of the core 140. The first force andsecond force work together to control rotation of core 140 against anyinertial loads created by the mass of core 140 and web 25.

Controller 300 can comprise any form of control circuit or system thatcan receive the first sensor signal from first sensor 162 and the secondsensor 164 of sensor system 38 and can determine the relative rotationposition of first end 142 and second end 144 of core 140, and based uponthis determination, can determine a first control signal to send tofirst actuator 182A and a second control signal to send to secondactuator 182B cause rotation of core 140 as described herein. In thisregard, controller 300 can comprise any known type of logic or controlcircuit including but not limited to a processor, a micro-controller, amicro-processor, or hardwired control logic circuit. Controller 300 isresponsive to processor 34 to supply web 25 as required by processor 34.In certain embodiments processor 34 can be used as controller 300.

It will be appreciated that in general, during steady state rotation ofa core/mounting assembly it will be desirable for controller 300 togenerate signals that are calculated to cause first actuator 182A andsecond actuator 182B to apply equal amounts of force to each of firstcore mounting 110 and second core mounting 130. However, this may notalways be a desirable operational model. For example, as is shown anddiscussed above in certain circumstances the steady state rotation of acore mounting/mounting assembly may require application as differentlevels of force at different ends of such a core/mounting assembly.

Further, it may be useful for a controller 300 to have a steady state ofrotational operation wherein the first control signal and second controlsignal cause the first end 142 of the core 140 and the second end 144 ofthe core 140 to remain within a range of rotational positions relativeto each other with the range being defined so that differences in therotational positions of the first end 142 and the second end 144 arecreated that cause a determined range of shear stress to exist in thecore 140. Such rotation induced shear stress is used to stiffen a core140 being rotated in this manner as may be desirable under certainloading conditions, rotation rates or printing conditions. For example,the shear stress can be achieved when the first force causes first coremounting 110 to apply force through first engagement surface 118 and thesecond force causes the second core mounting 130 to apply force throughsecond engagement surface 138 to respectively drive first engagedsurface 146 and first engagement surface 146 to have a differentrotational separation during rotation than they have in an initialunloaded state.

Typically, this desired positional relationship is one where anydifferences between the rotational position of first end 142 and therotational position of the second end 244 are maintained at a targetlevel. In certain embodiments, the target can be a zero differencelevel. However, in other embodiments, the target level can include anoffset level.

There are a variety of ways in which the desired positional relationshipcan be maintained once established. For example, the first force and thesecond force can be applied to cause the first end 142 and the secondend 144 to maintain a determined average rotational positionalrelationship over the course of each rotation of the core 140. Inanother example, the first force and the second force can be applied tocause the first end 142 and the second end 144 to maintain the desiredpositional relationship by maintaining a determined average rate ofrotational velocity at the ends of the core 140 over the course of eachrotation of the core 140. These averages have been described in terms offrequency of rotation, however, it will be appreciated that theseaverages can be equivalently calculated or described in terms of unitsof time, phase or other similar expressions.

In situations where it is desired that a core 140 be made stiffer thefirst force and the second force are applied in a manner that causes ashear stress to be induced in the core 140. Typically this occurs wherethe forces are unequal. However, depending on the inertial load on core140 and the relative arrangements of core 140, first core mounting 110,second core mounting 130 and web 25 it is possible to create astiffening shear stress in core 140 even when the first force and secondforce are equal.

The amount of stiffening of core 140, driven in accordance with thisembodiment, can be defined as a function of the extent to which therotational positions of first end 142 and second end 144 are offset froman initial state, with more shear stress and accordingly more stiffeningof core 140 when there is less correspondence with the initial state.

It will further be appreciated that in certain embodiments the extent towhich such an offset is tolerated or required can be a function of theelasticity of the material from which core 140 is fabricated. That is,where core 140 is made using elastic materials a greater range ofvariation can be tolerated when the core 140 is fabricated using moreelastic materials, while a lesser range of variation can be toleratedwhen the core 140 is fabricated using less elastic materials.

An advantage of allowing a greater range of elastic variation for a core140 that is more elastic is that fewer control adjustments may berequired. For example, the first force and the second force can beapplied to cause a difference to occur in the rotational positions ofthe first end 142 and the second end 144 that create a first portion ofthe shear stress in core 140 while the inertial load induces a secondportion of the shear stress in core 140. Where this is done, controller300 can cause first actuator 182A and second actuator 182B to providethe first force and the second force so that the first portion is lessthan half of the total shear stress induced in the core 140 duringrotation. This allows core 140 to be stiffened for example beforeattempting to adjust a position of core 140 and web 25 such thatadjustment of the rotational position of core 140 and web 25 can be madein a manner that is more responsive to the timing or extent of theapplied first force and the second force than would be possible for anunstiffened core 140. Additionally, the stiffness can be adjusted as afunction of an anticipated inertial load such as where controller 300 isinstructed to change a rate of rotation of core 140 or to initiaterotation from a stopped state. In such a case, the inertial load to beexperienced can be anticipated and the stiffening of core 140 can beadjusted in anticipation, and the first force and second force requiredat a level that will cause the anticipated inertial load.

Alternatively, the stiffening of the core 140 can be used to reduce anability of the core to flex perpendicular to an axis of rotation whilerotating against the inertial load to reduce the extent of anyadditional load caused by any friction that can be experienced by thecore when the core is allowed to flex perpendicular to an axis ofrotation to an extent that is sufficient to bring the core into contactwith the web medium supply. Further, the stiffening of core 140 can alsoreduce the extent of any curvature in core 140 along the axis ofrotation that can come to exist in core 140 as a product of manufactureor fabrication methods used to make core 140 or as a product of postmanufacture handling.

It will be appreciated that the embodiments of FIGS. 22, 23 and 24 canalso be used to create a stiffening of core 140. For example, in theembodiment of FIG. 22, an input force can be distributed by drivetransmission 200 so that the first force and the second force areapplied to create a limited shear stress that stiffens core 140 bydifferentially driving the first end 142 and second end 144. Here too, afirst portion of a total shear stress induced by an inertial or otherload on core 140 can be created in this manner that is less than half ofthe total shear stress induced in the core 140 during rotation.

FIGS. 26A and 2B illustrate another embodiment of the web medium supply32 wherein and the second core mounting 130 is movable along the axis ofrotation 92 between a range of driving positions where second coremounting moves in phase with second engagement surface 148 and a rangeof slip positions one example of which is shown in FIG. 26A. As is shownin FIGS. 26A and 26B a biasing member is provided that urges e secondcore mounting toward the range of mounting positions. In the event thatan amount of torque is applied between second end of core 144 and secondcore mounting 130 that is above a predetermined threshold this torque isconverted at the interface between second engagement surface 138 andsecond engaged surface 148 into a force that drives second core mounting130 against the bias force to extent that is sufficient to allow secondcore mounting 130 and second engagement surface 148 have different ratesof rotation. An example of this is shown in FIG. 26B, where second coremounting 130 has been urge along the axis for rotation 92 by an extentsufficient to all to this to occur. As is also shown in FIG. 26B, secondcore mounting surface 136 extends sufficiently into second end 144 ofcore 140 to allow core 140 to continue to rotate along axis of rotation92. When the torque diminishes, the urging of the biasing member drivessecond core mounting 130 such that second engagement surface 138 andsecond engaged surface 148 reengage. Also shown in FIGS. 26A and 26B isa sensor 166 that can detect when second core mounting 130 is moved tothe range of slip positions, thus allowing processor 34 to detect whenthis occurs so that processor 34 can adjust control inputs as necessary.

Methods for Operating a Web Medium Supply

FIG. 27 shows a first embodiment of a method for operating a developmentstation. It will be appreciated that this method can be implementedautomatically by way of electronic or mechanical logic and controlsystems such as those that are described above.

As is shown in FIG. 27, in the first embodiment, a core is received andmounted in web medium supply 32 (step 400), an input force is received(step 402) and the input force is then distributed (step 404) to thefirst end 142 and to the second end 144 of the core 140 as a first forcethat is applied to first end 142 of the core 140 and as a second forcethat is applied to a second end 144 of core 140. In this embodiment, thefirst force and the second force are sufficient to control rotation ofcore 140 against an inertial load created by the mass of core 140 andthe web 25.

Further, as is discussed above, both the first force and the secondforce are less than a third force applied a single driven end of analternative core control related the alternative core against theinertial load. Accordingly, a core used with this method can have afirst yield strength at the first end 142 and a second yield strength atthe second end 144 that are less than a third yield strength required toreceive the third force at the driven end of the alternative core.

An optional step of automatically determining data from the core is alsoshown (step 401). This method step can be performed using, for example,the embodiments described in FIGS. 16-22. Further, an optional step ofstiffening core 140 can also be performed (step 403). This stiffening ofcore 140 can be created, by applying the first force to the first endand the second force to the second end as is generally described aboveto cause the first end 142 and the second end 144 have an offset from aninitial rotational separation therebetween. This offset can beestablished before rotation of core 140 or during rotation. The offsetcan be fixed or can vary as is also described generally above.

As is shown in FIG. 28, a second embodiment of a method for operating aweb medium supply 23 to control rotation of a core 140 having a web isprovided. In a first step of this method, a core is received (step 410),data regarding the core is optionally determined (step 412), a firstforce is applied to a first end 142 of core 140 using a first actuator182A and a second force is applied to a second end 144 of core 140 usinga second actuator 182B (step 416) to control rotation of core 140 andweb 25.

In this embodiment, the first force and the second force are sufficientto control rotation of core 140 against an inertial load created by thecore 140 and web 25. Further, as is discussed above, both the firstforce and the second force are less than a third force that would beapplied at a single driven end of an alternative core to rotate thealternative core against the inertial load. Further, core 140 can have afirst yield strength at the first end 142 and a second yield strength atthe second end 144 that are less than a third yield strength required toreceive the third force at the driven end of the alternative core. Theamount of the first force and the second force can be determined bysignals generated by controller 300.

The application of the first force and the second force can optionallybe applied to controllably stiffen core 140 (step 414). As is discussedabove, this stiffening of core 140 can be induced by applying forcesthat drive the first end 142 of the core 140 and the second end 144 ofcore 140 to have relative rotational positions that are different thanthe rotational positions of the first end 142 of core 140 and the secondend 144 of core 140 at an initial state. As noted above, it can beuseful to adjust the tension in core 140 so as to enhance theperformance of the core. For example, when there is a situation wherecore 140 and web 25 must be driven in a manner that will induce highinertial loads if can be useful to pre-stiffen core 140. Accordingly, itcan be beneficial to perform the stiffening step (step 414) by receivinga signal to indicating that operation conditions are to be such thattension is useful and in response to such signal, increasing tension inthe core before initiating a change in velocity of the core 140 and web25.

Also shown in the embodiment of FIG. 27, are the additional steps ofsensing a rotational position of the first end, sensing a rotationalposition of the second end (step 418) and adapting the first force andthe second force based upon the sensed rotational position of the firstend 142 and the sensed rotational position of the second end 144 (step420). These steps can be performed generally in the same mannerdescribed above with reference to FIG. 18. To the extent that controller310 determines that the core 140 is to continue rotating, this processcan be repeated (step 422).

It will be appreciated that by providing a web medium supply 32 havingthe dual end drive in FIGS. 22-23 arranged or driven by a core accordingto the methods described in FIGS. 22-28 as described herein any of anumber of the following technical effects can be achieved:

For example, the methods and web medium supplies 32 described hereinenable web to include core 140 having a volume that provides the firstyield strength at the first end and the second yield strength end butthat is less than the volume of the alternative core providing the thirdyield strength so that more volume is available a printer for web 25than would be available if the alternative core is used.

Similarly, the methods and web medium supplies 32 described hereinenable a radius of a core having the first yield strength and the secondyield strength to be less than a radius of the alternative coreproviding the third yield strength at the driven end, so that a volumeof web 25 supplied on core 140 creates less angular momentum than anequivalent amount of web 25 would create if supplied on the alternativecore.

Additionally, the methods and web medium supplies 32 described in FIGS.22-28 can be used to enable a radius of a core providing the first yieldstrength and the second yield strength to be less than a radius of thealternative core providing the third yield strength, so that the volumeof a printer in which the core is used operates can be made smaller thanthe volume of a development station in which the alternative coreoperates while supplying certain amount of web 25. This can occur bothbecause the radius of the core is smaller and because the core 140 isstiffened to help ensure that the core 140 and web 25 rotate along anaxis of rotation 92.

Still further, the methods and web medium supplies 32 described in FIGS.22-28 can enable a core 140 to be made from a first material thatprovides the first yield strength and second yield strength in adetermined configuration, but must be made using a second material thatis more dense than the first material to provide the third yieldstrength to make the alternative core in the determined configuration.Similarly, the methods and web medium supplies 32 provided in FIGS.22-28 allow a core 140 can be made from a first material that providesthe first yield strength and second yield strength in a determinedconfiguration, but must be made using a second material that is morerigid than the first material to provide the third yield strength tomake the alternative core in the determined configuration.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference tocertain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the scope of theinvention.

1. A method for operating a printer web medium supply, the methodcomprising; receiving an input force and distributing the input force tosupply first force at a first end of a core having a web wound thereonand to supply a second force at a second end of the core with the firstforce and the second force being sufficient to control rotation of thecore against an inertial load of the core and web medium wound thereon;wherein both the first force and the second force are less than a thirdforce applied to a single driven end of an alternative core to rotatethe alternative core against the inertial load and wherein the core hasa first yield strength at the first end and a second yield strength atthe second end that are less than a third yield strength required toreceive the third force at the driven end of the alternative core. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the volume of the core providing thefirst yield strength and the second yield strength is less than thevolume of the alternative core providing the third yield strength sothat more volume is available the printer for the web wound on the corethan would be available if the alternative core is used.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein a radius of the core having the first yield strengthand the second yield strength is less than a radius of the alternativecore providing the third yield strength at the driven end, so that avolume of the web supplied by the core creates less angular momentumthan the same volume of web would create if supplied by the alternativecore.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein a radius of the core providingthe first yield strength and the second yield strength is less than aradius of the alternative core providing the third yield strength, sothat the volume of a printer in which the core operates can be madesmaller than the volume of a printer in which the alternative coreoperates while still supplying a common volume of web.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the volume of the shaft of a core having the firstyield strength and second yield strength can be made smaller than thevolume of a shaft of an alternative core having the third yield strengthwhile using the same material for fabrication of the core and forfabrication of the alternative core.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe core can be made from a first material that provides the first yieldstrength at a first end and second yield strength in a determinedconfiguration, but must be made using a second material that is moredense than the first material to provide the third yield strength tomake the alternative core in the determined configuration.
 7. The methodof claim 1, wherein the core can be made from a first material thatprovides the first yield strength and second yield strength in adetermined configuration, but must be made using a second material thatis more rigid than the first material to provide the third yieldstrength to make the alternative core in the determined configuration.8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first force and the second forceare applied to cause the first end of the core and the second end of thecore to remain within a range of rotational positions relative to eachother with the range being defined so that the differences in therotational positions of the first end and the second end create adetermined range of shear stress in the core.
 9. The method of claim 1,further comprising the step of conveying one of the first force and thesecond force from a side of the housing confronting one of the first endand the second end to another side of the housing confronting the otherof the first end and the second end to drive the other of the first endand the second end without using the core to conveyor the force.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising the steps of receiving an inputforce, distributing the input force as the first force and the secondforce, and conveying the second force along a path to the second end ofthe core along a path apart from the core.
 11. The method of claim 1,wherein the core has an passageway from the first end of the core to thesecond end of the core and where the method further comprises the stepsof mounting a first end of the core to a first core mounting and asecond end of the core to a second core mounting and mechanicallylinking the first core mounting to the second core mounting within thepassage of the core such that a portion of an input force can betransferred from a first end of the core to a second end of the corethrough the mechanical linkage of the first core mounting and the secondcore mounting.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step ofdistributing the input force comprises distributing the input force as afirst force and second force that cause a difference in the rotationalpositions of the first end and the second end of the core to create afirst portion of the shear stress in the core wherein the inertial loadinduces a second portion of the shear stress in the core, and whereinthe first force and the second force are applied so that the firstportion is less than half of the total shear stress induced in the coreduring rotation.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first force andthe second force are applied to cause the first end and the second endto maintain a determined average rotational relationship over the courseof each rotation of the core.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst force and the second force are applied to cause the first end andthe second end to maintain a determined average rate of rotation overthe course of each rotation of the core.
 15. The method of claim 1,further comprising the steps of sensing a rotational position of thefirst end, sensing a rotational position of the second end, and adaptingthe first force and the second force to control the extent to which thefirst end and the second end have different rotational positions. 16.The method of claim 1, wherein inertial load experienced by the core isgreater at one of the first end and the second end than at the other ofthe first end and the second end so that a first component of theinertial load experienced at the first end of the core is at a firstlevel and so that a second component the drag experienced at the secondend during rotation is at a second different level, and wherein thefirst force and the second force are in proportion to the component ofthe inertial load experienced at the first end and the second end. 17.The method of claim 1, wherein the core has a first end that has a firstengaged surface that is at a first engaged angle relative to an axis ofrotation wherein the first core mounting is one of a plurality of firstcore mountings each having different engagement surfaces at a pluralityof different first engagement angles and wherein the first core mountinghas a first detectable feature that differentiates the first coremounting among the plurality of available core mountings and wherein aplurality of different webs can be used in printer web medium supply andwherein data regarding at least one of the plurality of different websis associated with the engaged angle of the first core mounting andfurther comprising the step of sensing the first core mounting that canbe mounted to a core to allow a core to rotated about the axis ofrotation is indicative of the data and sensing first the detectablefeature and determining data regarding the web based upon a detectedfirst detectable feature of the first core mounting.
 18. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the printer can be used with a plurality of cores eachcore having different angular relationships between rotational positionthe a first cylindric section at a first end of the core and therotational position of a second cylindric section at a second end of thecore such that the rotational separation between the first cylindricsection and the second cylindric section are indicative of acharacteristic of a web medium wound on the core and further comprisingthe steps of sensing the rotational position of the first cylindricsection, the rotational position of the second cylindric section anddetermining a data regarding the web wound on the core based upon therotational separation between the first cylindric section and the secondcylindric section.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein step of detectingthe rotational position of the first cylindric section and the secondcylindric section comprises detecting a rotational position of a firstcore mounting having a first engagement surface that corresponds to thefirst cylindric section and mounted to the first end and a second coremounting having a second engagement surface that corresponds to thesecond cylindric section and mounted to a second end.
 20. A method forcontrolling rotation of a core in a web medium supply, the methodcomprising: stiffening the core along a length of the core by applyingthe first force to the first end of the core and a second force to asecond end of the core to induce a tension in the core along a length ofthe core, further applying the first force and the second force with thefirst force and the second force being sufficient to rotate the coreagainst an inertial load of the core and the web on the core; whereinboth the first force and the second force are less than a third forceapplied to a single driven end of an alternative core to rotate thealternative core against the drag and wherein the core has a first yieldstrength at the first end and a second yield strength at the second endthat are less than a third yield strength required to receive the thirdforce at the driven end of the alternative core.
 21. The method of claim20, wherein the stiffening of the core reduces an ability of the core toflex perpendicular to an axis of rotation while rotating against theinertial load to reduce the extent of any additional load caused by anyincrease in friction that can be experienced by the core when the coreis allowed to flex perpendicular to an axis of rotation to an extentthat is sufficient to bring at least one of the core and the web on thecore into contact with the web medium supply.
 22. The method of claim20, wherein at least a portion of the stiffening reduces the extent ofany curvature in the core along the axis of rotation.
 23. The method ofclaim 20, wherein the stiffness is adjusted as a function of ananticipated inertial load.